Chokoloskee Tarpon, Reds and The Snook Bite
Capt. Bert Barkus
April 8, 2009
Chokoloskee - Saltwater Fishing Report
Well what can you say but wind and cold.
When we have calm weather for a few days all 3 species will be on the bite.
You really have to know the backcountry,and what sides of the shores produce on a regular basis, especially in the up and comming months.
1 week all is well,then the fronts move down and as they say, it all goes to the dogs.
You have to re-group when this happens, and again,KEEP SEARCHING!It will pay off.
It's a must to have your artificials in the water at all times and cover ground.
The tarpon are pretty thick right now but the wind and cold will keep them on the mud or sand bottoms.
If you get into an area, and start to blow them out,get out of the area till it becomes more tarpon friendly(NO Wind/Slick and Calm).
Pole out,or if your using a troling motor,leave super quietly so you don't spook them all.
If you crank that big motor, you run the risk of the tarpon leaving the area that took you so long to find.
Return to snook fishing,then when it's nice, go back, and fish those laid up tarpon another day.
Hopefully no one has run the bay you found them in, because most likely they will be gone in the numbers that were there when you first located them.
My bigger snook are off the shore lines between the boat and 2 feet of the shore.Work that top water plug all the way back to the boat.
Don't give up just because the weather conditions just dont seem right,we've been jumping large snook in the wind and cold.
The smaller guys are under the mangrove points,and a few large crusers may be there as well.
You have to keep that top water in the water at all times,don't look away,and work it back to the boat,I can't say this enough,(COVER AREA).
On the gulf side the same almost applies,although with the reds,just drop that 1/8 ounce jig about 3-4 feet in front of them,but don't spook them by slamming the jig in the water,and slowly bounce it off the bottom until they key in on it ,then just strike them and HOLD ON!
Weather permitting on the gulf side there Mackeral,Small Blues,Ladyfish,a few Cobia,and some Trout.
Tight LInes,
Capt. Bert Barkus
[email protected]
www.ChokoloskeeIslandCharters,com
Chokoloskee Fishing Forecast:
Looking to the closure of snook season,calm summer days and world class fishing.
Target Species:
Snook -Laid up Tarpon-Reds-or whatevers biting.
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